Sustainable future business strategies in Tier 1 suspension component manufacturing

At SH Auto Parts we are focused on a sustainable future business strategy that delivers excellence to our customers by maximizing the benefits of Taiwanese technology, business culture, and geography. Our location in the heartland of the Taiwanese industrial powerhouse is one of many reasons that we are the perfect choice for sustainable long term manufacturing partnerships with Tier 1 automotive manufacturers.

Our integration of the latest Tier 1 automotive component manufacturing technologies, and digital transformation of supply chain, production and quality management are significant strengths that we offer to our Tier 1 auto parts customers. Added to this is our commitment to sustainable manufacturing and ESG principles, which includes our energy efficient solar powered smart factory in Taiwan.

Why is Taiwan a center for high quality auto parts manufacturing?

Taiwan is a center for the manufacturing of high quality auto parts, suspension components, ball joints, steering components and auto electronics to supply Tier 1 automotive manufacturing. Taiwan’s success in sustainable Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing is helped by close cooperation and collaboration between supportive industries and an economically and environmentally positive, stable legislative and regulatory environment.

SH Auto Parts: An IATF certified Tier 1 auto component supplier

• SH Auto Parts manufactures stamped and welded suspension components, CNC machined parts, ball joints, and control arms, to IATF certification standards.
• SH Auto Parts prioritizes strategic planning and operational efficiency to ensure consistent service delivery to our international customers.
• SH Auto Parts is committed to a sustainable and long-term business model that delivers mutually beneficial value-chain partnerships.
• Taiwan’s technological capabilities, robust work ethic, and strategic geographical location add efficiency and value synergies to our partnerships.
• Taiwan is a prominent center for advanced automotive component manufacturing, facilitated by close collaboration among related industries and a well-established regulatory framework.

Alongside the geographic concentration of expertise and talent that we are able to access due to our deep roots in Taiwan, we are embedded in a cultural perspective that builds high quality, mutually beneficial,sustainable business partnerships. Our business culture is led by intelligent, strategic thinking to continue to deliver excellence to our OEM partners in the supportive environment of Taiwanese industry, ‘deepening our roots in the land we love.’

Global automotive manufacturers rely on Tier 1 suspension component suppliers for a wide range of stamped and welded suspension parts and CNC machined suspension components. This includes control arms for front suspension members, cross members and rear suspension members as well as ball joints and steering components. Quality and reliability are critical factors in sourcing Tier 1 suspension components, and these are core features of Taiwanese engineering excellence.

Boost your Tier 1 auto suspension component manufacturing partnerships with SH Auto Parts

Decades of research and evaluation of collaborative business success shows that the strongest and closest collaborations are value-chain partnerships. Alliances between manufacturers and suppliers have the highest potential for achieving mutually beneficial goals. This is especially true of value chain partnerships with suppliers from countries which have a strong history of long-term thinking and focus on relationship building as well as achieving the necessary short-term results.

When you combine Taiwan’s technology and supply chain leadership with our positive focus on developing fruitful long-term business relationships, it’s easy to see why SH Auto Parts is an excellent choice for your Tier 1 auto suspension component manufacturing partnership.

Our dedication to a future-focused business strategy is evident in our ongoing commitment to integrating technological excellence, digital transformation of our business model, and geographical advantages to provide unparalleled value to our customers.

SH Auto Parts manufactures stamped and welded suspension components and CNC machined suspension components, ball joints and control arms to IATF standards. Contact us to find out more about how we can satisfy your Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing needs. SH Auto Parts is a leading manufacturer of automotive components, producing a substantial volume of high-quality parts.

The benefits of long term auto parts manufacturing partnerships in 2025

We have briefly outlined the benefits of long term manufacturing partnerships in Tier 1 auto parts supply chains when discussing the need to meet OEM certification and quality demands in high volume automotive component manufacturing. Let’s take a look in more detail at the four main drivers of success that come from building long term partnerships with your Tier 1 auto parts suppliers.

• Simplifying adoption of auto component innovation
• Improving quality control
• Increasing automotive component manufacturing efficiency
• Reducing auto parts & components costs

Long term partnerships develop mutual benefits that grow over time partly because of the complexity of modern automotive manufacturing and the need to keep pace with innovations, including EV technology. A Tier 1 auto components supplier who can be depended on to always deliver on time to the exact component specifications with the right combination of quality and cost management can only be tested by experience.

There is some groundwork that should provide indicators of future potential in any new or emerging Tier 1 supply chain relationship, and we’ll have a look at some of these in this article. If you are looking for alternatives to existing Tier 1 supply partners, or are expanding your stable of Tier 1 suppliers, it’s a good time to explore the key factors for success, and consider the long term benefits that are specific to any new supplier under consideration.

Simplifying adoption of auto component innovation

The pace of change in the auto industry presents challenges to all automotive manufacturers that ripple through the supply chain. On the one hand it is necessary to be able to maintain and adopt industry innovations in automotive manufacturing to maintain competitive advantage, and on the other hand innovations can bring significant challenges in deciding the best pathway to adoption.

If you are considering the capacity of an auto parts supplier to respond to change and innovation, an important consideration is the ease with which your engineers and designers can share, update, refine and revise design files with your supplier. How rapidly can your supplier implement a change into their auto component manufacturing lines, and how easy will it be to audit and maintain quality? Cross compatibility of smart manufacturing systems for CAD, CAE and CAM will make it significantly easier to rapidly adopt innovations.

Improving quality control

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) quality standard is a Tier 1 automotive component manufacturing quality benchmark, but holding the certification and maintaining associated ISO quality procedures does not guarantee quality in itself. When looking at a potential Tier 1 automotive manufacturing partnership, you also need to be certain that your suspension component supplier maintains an open, rigorous, auditable quality system that you can inspect and verify for yourself.

Look for granular quality control testing capabilities, with variable tracking from batch samples to individual components. If a potential Tier 1 auto parts supplier is uncertain about being able to offer reliable data on quality testing of individual components then you really should be looking elsewhere.

Increasing automotive component manufacturing efficiency

In this age of smart manufacturing and with the broad adoption of digital technologies, Tier 1 automotive manufacturing efficiency has been increased by companies adopting digital transformations across all aspects and stages of auto parts production and supply. From inventory coming in through every stage of manufacturing, quality checking, testing, packing and shipping, there should be a real-time data trail that tells you the exact progress with any order.

High quality data management and reporting contributes to automotive component manufacturing efficiency, but needs real-world supply chain expertise, high quality tooling, expert workforces and a Tier 1 economic and manufacturing environment that supports shipping and logistics to equivalent standards of reliability and quality. It doesn’t matter how impressive a Tier 1 auto parts manufacturer appears to be if you can’t get your suspension components on time because of poor host country shipping logistics or unfriendly bureaucratic processes.

Reducing auto parts & components costs

The Tier 1 auto component manufacturing market is highly competitive, which helps to keep costs down. The adoption of international quality standards helps to maintain equivalent reliability across suppliers, with some reservations we’ve already mentioned. There is always a balance between quality, efficiency, partner reliability and cost to manufacture. Local variations in economic regulations, including taxation and labor quality, will make some countries more resilient and more able to support very high quality Tier 1 auto component manufacturing than others.

When you consider the importance of consistent, reliable, high quality auto component supply chains to the just-in-time world of automotive manufacturing, this should focus your attention on countries known for the high quality of their manufacturing industries, and the strength of their manufacturing logistics. An added bonus comes from working with a country with a culture of long-term business thinking, where corporate culture is focused on developing mutual growth and success between business partners.

How does SH Auto Parts add value to Tier 1 automotive supply chains?

As a manufacturer of CNC machined suspension parts, stamped and welded car suspension components and automated ball joint assemblies to the global Tier 1 automotive supply chain, SH Auto Parts offers all four drivers for long term success in Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing. We are fully IATF 16949:2016 certified for Tier 1 automotive quality control, with transparent auditing so there is no need for concern about the quality of our auto parts manufacturing, testing and supply chain management

Our smart factory features integrated CAD, CAE and CAM intelligent automation across all Tier 1 automotive design and manufacturing digital platforms for easy prototyping, testing and manufacturing. This makes it easy for us to manufacture new and innovative auto component designs. On top of this, our use of renewable energy and excellence in ESG manufacturing supports the green credentials of Tier 1 automotive brands.

Our production efficiency is matched with our excellent logistics solutions, based in Taiwan at the heart of advanced manufacturing technologies and material supply chains. Contact us to discover rapid, efficient and cost-effective Tier 1 automotive component solutions.

Meeting the Tier 1 supply demands of automotive OEM brands

As a Tier 1 automotive component manufacturer, we know that OEM automotive brands work to exacting standards and very tight financial margins. To succeed in this competitive and challenging industry, OEMs require consistent, reliable and responsive performance from Tier 1 supply chain partners. At SH Auto Parts we have focused our capabilities and capacity on satisfying these demands.

How does SH Auto Parts deliver the range & volume of Tier 1 auto components that Tier 1 manufacturers need?

• Robust Quality Management Systems
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
• Strategic Supply Chain Management
• Data-Driven Production Monitoring
• Continuous Improvement Culture

SH Auto Parts supplies over 4000 suspension components to customers on a daily basis, all manufactured to the highest, certified, quality standards. We are fully committed to the mutual success of our automotive component manufacturing partnerships with our global automotive industry customers.

Uncompromising Quality for Tier 1 automotive component manufacturing

Our state-of-the-art, sustainable, intelligent auto parts manufacturing facility in Taiwan is a showcase of advanced manufacturing technologies with integrated continuous product tracking, quality control and process supervision. This ensures every auto component meets the exact specifications, dimensional tolerances and engineering performance required.

What are 5 key challenges for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing?

• Global competitiveness
• Complex supply chain management
• Flexible production lines
• High production volumes
• Total commitment to quality

Cost-effective, efficient Tier 1 automotive manufacturing by SH Auto Parts

OEM automotive manufacturers are under intense pressure to remain globally competitive. SH Auto Parts applies the leverage of our advanced production processes and technology, minimal waste and lean business principles to achieve cost effective, efficient, high quality Tier 1 automotive component manufacturing for our customers. Increasing your competitive advantage is key to our shared success.

In-house tooling design and intelligent automation support our day to day production efficiencies, optimizing and streamlining our high capacity auto component production lines as well as our back office and administrative processes.

Consistent & reliable auto part supply chain management

OEM automotive production requires on-time, consistent and responsive Tier 1 automotive component supply chain management in a complex international marketplace. SH Auto Parts has robust production scheduling, individual in-production component tracking with bar codes and laser etching of completed suspension components for comprehensive data management.

On-time delivery of Tier 1 automotive components is essential to ensure uninterrupted OEM production. The combination of excellent manufacturing scheduling and data management at our smart factory in Taiwan with the availability of Taiwan’s excellent global shipping and fulfillment networks makes it easy for us to get you the auto parts you need when you need them.

Flexible production & rapid turnaround meets evolving automotive needs

With our parallel automated production lines and sophisticated digital twin control and monitoring systems, we are ready at short notice to switch in and out of complex production tasks and product lines for all types of Tier 1 automotive component manufacturing.

We recognize the complex and evolving nature of the OEM automotive industry leads to rapid change and modifications of products and processes, and we are constantly innovating in data driven automation and robotics to stay ahead of potential future challenges to the Tier 1 auto part business ecosystem.

Your efficient partner for both high capacity and short production runs

SH Auto Parts can manufacture in excess of 4,000 components per day at our Smart Factory in Taiwan. Our advanced CAD, CAM & CAE systems with fully automated robotic production and sophisticated tooling, tracking and quality control systems makes it easy for us to manufacture multiple lines simultaneously across our facility.

We routinely integrate multiple short and long production runs without long delays, while maintaining comprehensive production monitoring and tracking that keeps you up to date in real time with the progress of your orders. Whether you want many thousands of components or some short prototyping runs, we are perfectly equipped and skilled to satisfy your requirements.

SH Auto Parts is certified and compliant with all applicable regulations

We know that in the automotive industry certification and compliance with the highest industry standards is non-negotiable. Our longstanding customers are familiar with our total commitment to quality and excellent, efficient service.

Our new customers can be reassured by our achievement and on-going maintenance of IATF 16949:2016 certification and ISO 14001 standards as indicators of our commitment to the specific quality and performance standards required by the Tier 1 automotive industry.

SH Auto Parts: Your Partner in Automotive Excellence

SH Auto Parts is a world class producer of machined, stamped and welded suspension parts and assemblies for the automotive industry. Whether you need CNC machined suspension components, stamped and welded chassis parts, ball joints, or suspension members, SH Auto Parts delivers exactly what you specify, on-time, every time.
Our commitment to high quality, high capacity auto component manufacturing makes us the ideal choice for Tier 1 automotive parts supply. Strong supplier partnerships are critically important to Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing, and we are dedicated to helping our automotive partners succeed. Contact us today to learn how we can meet your specific needs and contribute to your success.

Tier 1 auto parts suppliers are key enablers of OEM automotive manufacturing in 2025

As we move forward into 2025, the automotive industry supply chain continues to depend heavily on Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers and suppliers. Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers produce and deliver essential automotive suspension, steering and chassis components.

Automotive OEMs rely on Tier 1 suppliers meeting strict quality and certification requirements while having the capacity to supply any volume, from short runs of specialized parts through to high volume production of standard suspension components.

What are the benefits for OEM automotive brands in developing long-term relationships with Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers?

• Simplifying innovation adoption
• Improving quality control
• Increasing manufacturing efficiency
• Reducing costs

Long term close relationships between OEM automotive brands and Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers are mutually beneficial because of the complexity of modern automotive engineering and manufacturing. The pace of innovation, including the rise of EV technology, requires strong and reliable partnerships between automotive brands and Tier 1 suppliers to keep pace with change without compromising on quality, costs, and manufacturing efficiencies.

How do Tier 1 auto parts suppliers meet the high standards of automotive OEMs?

Global vehicle standards authorities, including individual country and regional regulators, are the gatekeepers of Tier 1 automotive manufacturing standards. The international peak body for the automotive industry, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) acts as a quality guardian for automotive component supply chains by managing the IATF 16949:2016 certification for automotive component production.

What are the challenges for Tier 1 automotive manufacturers in meeting OEM manufacturing requirements

• Increasing complexity of components
• Reliance on advanced manufacturing technologies
• Need for supply chain resilience
• Supplying parts for electric vehicles
• Demand for innovation in sustainability & ethical sourcing
• Need to ensure certification to international quality standards

Which technologies are driving high quality Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing in 2025?

The automotive industry is constantly evolving. OEMs rely on Tier 1 suppliers to implement new technologies and manufacturing processes with intelligent automation to support automotive manufacturer design and engineering innovations in vehicle performance and safety.

We have come a long way from the first automotive production lines, and robotics, advanced supply chain management systems, production monitoring and quality control are essential technologies for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers as much as they are for the global OEM automotive brands that we support.

What are 8 technologies enabling Tier 1 auto parts suppliers to meet OEM demand?
digital twin

• CAD, CAE & CAM
• robotic manufacturing
• robotic assembly
• flexible inventory management
• real time order progress monitoring
• advanced quality control & testing
• sustainable manufacturing

Quality control and certification for high capacity Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing in 2025

Parts must meet precise specifications, dimensional tolerances, and performance criteria. Defects are unacceptable, as they can impact vehicle safety, reliability, and brand reputation. Robust quality control systems with continuous improvement methodologies are essential, and Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers must have comprehensive on-site testing and quality control capabilities.

The automotive industry is heavily regulated. Tier 1 suppliers must comply with a range of international standards, such as IATF 16949 for quality management systems, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and various regional regulations. Meeting these certifications is a prerequisite for doing business with automotive OEMs.

Guaranteeing auto parts capacity and consistency of supply for OEM automotive brands

Automotive OEMs work to tight production schedules. This means Tier 1 automotive suppliers must guarantee on-time delivery of parts in required quantities that meet defined quality standards to avoid expensive disruptions to the OEM automotive production line. Effective, robust and dependable supply chain management and excellent production planning are key success factors that contribute to achieving these goals.

Tier 1 suppliers need to manage complex global supply chains, depending on many sub-tier suppliers. Maintaining consistent quality and on-time delivery at scale through the entire supply chain is difficult. Tier 1 automotive suppliers have to be able to produce high volumes of parts to consistent quality standards to meet the massive scale of operations of the global automotive industry.

Key requirements for high volume Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing

Consistency, quality, and competitive pricing are the bottom line for OEM automotive manufacturers looking for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing partners. IATF 16949 is a key quality certification for Tier 1 auto components manufacturing because it helps assure OEM automotive brands that the holder has the capabilities that are required.

• Robust quality management for consistent manufacturing
• Lean manufacturing to minimize waste and improve cost-effectiveness
• Advanced manufacturing technologies
• Excellent supply chain management
• Innovation focused production systems
• Advanced data analytics for monitoring, reporting and control

Although quality is the first consideration, Tier 1 auto component manufacturers need to innovate and optimize suspension and control arm component manufacturing, ball joint assembly, tracking and shipping systems into a holistic package that minimizes waste, keeps costs down without compromising on quality and improves efficiency to stay competitive in the global market.

Technological improvements in production processes combined with sophisticated production monitoring and tracking are important enablers for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers to meet the stringent supply chain demands of the OEM automotive industry. This requires significant investment by Tier 1 suppliers as well as appropriate expertise.

SH Auto Parts: consistently high quality at any production volume

SH Auto Parts is a highly competitive, innovative IATF 16949 certified manufacturer of CNC machined suspension parts, stamped and welded car suspension components and automated ball joint assemblies for the Tier 1 automotive industry, with a total manufacturing capacity of over 4,000 components per day across multiple independent automated production lines.

Our high quality Taiwanese engineering capabilities and long history of meeting the evolving demands of Tier 1 automotive manufacturing at any production volume from our sustainable manufacturing facility make us an ideal partner to supply your Tier 1 automotive component needs. Contact us to discover what we can offer as your Tier 1 automotive manufacturing partner.

What is the ideal auto components supply partner for Tier 1 OEM auto parts manufacturers?

Technology, location, experience, capability, capacity and commitment to sustainability are key success factors for auto parts manufacturing for the Tier 1 automotive industry. Modern vehicles are more sophisticated than ever before, and the globalization of manufacturing and outsourcing of parts and services drives competition in the auto parts and components industries.

• Technology
• Location
• Experience
• Capability & Capacity
• Commitment to sustainability

How does supplier technology contribute to Tier 1 OEM auto parts manufacturing?

Contemporary automotive design and manufacturing relies heavily on CAD, CAE and CAM with digital twinning of designs to enable rapid prototyping and evolution in response to testing and certification requirements.

Reliable data exchange with automotive component manufacturers is essential to enable real time monitoring of production and ensuring that manufacturing and shipping targets are met in this age of lean, just-in-time manufacturing without wasteful inefficiencies of time or resources.

At SH Auto Parts, we make full use of integrated digital manufacturing systems in our Smart Factory, with In-house tooling design and intelligent automation giving full digital oversight of all operations. Centralized monitoring makes it easy to ensure that all systems are running at optimal production levels without compromising on safety and reliability.

Our production data includes live reporting and laser etching of components for quality management and exact inventory and production control. Whether it is a suspension part, control arm, or ball joint assembly, stamped and welded or CNC machined component, every process is continuously monitored and tracked for maximum operational efficiency.

All our auto parts are manufactured to international quality standards including IATF 16949:2016 certification for Tier 1 automotive manufacturing. We use only the best quality and inspection tools to validate and verify production meets or exceeds engineering specifications, and our highly trained staff ensure these technologies are professionally managed and employed.

How important is supplier location for Tier 1 auto manufacturing?

For the global Tier 1 auto parts supply chain, changes in tariff regimes in 2025 are likely to cause disruption, especially for US OEM automotive manufacturers. When seeking a long-term partnership for auto parts manufacturing, you need to work with suppliers who are located in places that have optimal trading and commerce relationships with your own country.

Supplier location has a very significant influence on the quality of manufacturing, reliability of communications and stability of supply. OEM manufacturers have been looking to ‘friendly shores’ for OEM supply chain partnerships since at least 2022, and the quest for the best, and most business-friendly, supplier location is accelerating with expectations of punitive tariffs.

Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers increasingly rely on manufacturers based in highly developed, friendly shores, including Japan, Taiwan and the EU. SH Auto Parts is based in Taiwan, a global engineering success story with a strong reputation for very high quality manufacturing and internationally recognized as a friendly location for your business commitments.

What is the value of experience for Tier 1 automotive suppliers?

Experience comes with longevity, and longevity indicates dependability, reliability, and competency in any automotive supply chain partnership. In the highly competitive market that competes to be part of the automotive supply chain, you have to demonstrate these values as a minimum to be a serious contender for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing.

SH Auto Parts has been manufacturing car suspension components, control arms, ball joint assemblies and stamped and welded suspension parts for 45 years. Over this time we have established valuable supplier relationships and trading partnerships that enable us to offer total reliability to our customers alongside our enviable reputation for engineering excellence.

Tier 1 automotive manufacturing requires Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing capabilities & capacity

Our manufacturing capabilities have been developed over our 45 years of experience supplying control arms, ball joints, stamped and welded suspension components and precision CNC machined auto parts to leading automotive manufacturers.

We have evolved from a small engineering company to an international automotive parts manufacturer by meeting and adapting to every technological and economic challenge that the industry has faced over the last four decades.

With a capacity of over 7 million parts per year and flexible manufacturing with parallel robotic production lines we are able to supply any requirement from small bespoke runs through to large scale mass production of auto components.

We are committed to sustainable auto component manufacturing

Our Smart Factory in Dounan, Taiwan may be the greenest auto component manufacturing facility in Asia, winning government awards for sustainability. From our rooftop solar power plant to our water management system, our Smart Factory creates a harmonious integration between high quality auto component production and sustainable manufacturing principles.

Intelligent architecture enables natural ventilation, and machine exhaust extraction maintains air quality to sustain the health of our employees as well as our environment. Our robotic manufacturing technology is cleaner and greener than our competitors, and also more cost-effective, due to the significant energy savings we are able to achieve through solar power.

Reducing risk & maximizing opportunities for Tier 1 OEM auto parts manufacturers

The combination of access to high quality raw materials, tooling and machinery with very strong supply chain logistics makes Taiwan a very attractive and competitive choice for Tier 1 automotive suppliers seeking reliable, long-term partnerships that can satisfy the evolving technological and situational demands of the Tier 1 automotive industry.

Our relationships with Tier 1 automotive manufacturers are based on long-term collaborative commitment. We start from the expectation that we will be able to reduce supply chain risk and maximize opportunities for growth, creating added value for mutual benefit. Contact us to discover how SH Auto Parts can supply your Tier 1 automotive manufacturing needs.

What are the key strategies driving Tier 1 Auto Parts supplier partnerships?

Key strategies for building successful Tier 1 auto parts supplier partnerships include open communication, mutual trust and respect, collaborative problem-solving, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement with auto parts manufacturers. By fostering strong ties with their supply chains, Tier 1 automotive suppliers can gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving automotive manufacturing industry.

What are 4 key success factors for Tier 1 auto parts supplier partnerships?

• Open communication
• Mutual trust & respect
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Commitment to continuous improvement

Strong and enduring relationships with auto parts manufacturing partners are critically important for the success of Tier 1 auto manufacturers because of the need to maintain a stable and steady supply of CNC machined, stamped and welded suspension parts and assemblies of known quality and performance to support continuous production of automobiles in a highly competitive and challenging industry.

What are the evolving challenges to the automotive industry?

• Increasing complexity of components
• Reliance on advanced manufacturing technologies to drive competitive advantage
• Need for supply chain resilience
• Supplying parts for electric vehicles
• Demand for innovation in sustainability & ethical sourcing
• Need to ensure certification to international quality standards

There is a need for robust and collaborative relationships with suppliers, OEMs, and other stakeholders to navigate these challenges effectively in the Tier 1 automotive manufacturing eco-system. Ever increasing complexity and competition, including demand for configure-to-order fulfilment are making the use of sophisticated technology an essential feature of the Tier 1 automotive parts supply chain.

How is technology driving success in Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing?

Technology is a facilitator for developing trusted and responsive automotive supply chain partnerships, when it is supported by experience and a focus on long-term mutual success. Control arms, ball joints and steering components need to be supplied to consistent quality standards and to specific schedules for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing regardless of the volume required.

We are seeing the use of advanced robotics and digital twin CAD, CAE and CAM technologies becoming key success factors in this industry, and increasing reliance on automated assembly lines. Sustainable manufacturing is also an important consideration underpinning green brand credentials in the automotive sector, but any technology and capability has limited value without reliable, collaborative partnerships that sustain supply to meet OEM demands.

What technologies should you expect a Tier 1 auto parts supplier to employ?

• Digital twin
• CAD, CAE & CAM
• Robotic manufacturing
• Robotic assembly
• Flexible inventory management
• Real time order progress monitoring
• Advanced quality control & testing
• Sustainable manufacturing

When looking for a Tier 1 automotive partner it is important to assess both the capabilities and the business model of potential auto parts component suppliers to ensure they not only possess the technology and downstream resource management required but also the right attitude and approach to be a good fit for your business.

How are supply chain partnerships evolving in the Tier 1 auto parts industry?

Shared risk and reward strategies with partners who value trust, transparency, open communication and mutual respect mitigate risks and maximize opportunities. This is true of all businesses, but is particularly significant in global sourcing of components and assemblies for OEM manufacturing at the scales and to the standards required by the automotive industry.

SH Auto Parts are a world class producer of CNC machined suspension parts, stamped and welded car suspension components and ball joint assemblies for the automotive industry. Based in Taiwan, the advanced engineering powerhouse of Asia, we are perfectly located at a global nexus of material resources, expertise, and supply chain services. Contact us to discover what we can offer as your Tier 1 automotive manufacturing partner.

What makes an auto parts manufacturing factory ‘Smart’?

Modern auto parts manufacturing processes have come a long way since Henry Olds patented the first automotive assembly line in 1901, enabling production of Oldsmobile cars to increase by a factor of 5. Henry Ford developed the first moving production line in 1913, and it contributed to the manufacturing of 10 million Ford Model T automobiles by the end of 1924. Just these two examples indicate how even from the early days of automotive manufacturing, innovative production systems were the key to success.

Olds and Ford were the first movers in ‘Smart’ automotive factory design, but their innovations were very primitive compared to the automation and robotics used in modern Tier 1 automotive production. Today’s smart auto parts manufacturing integrates the latest automation, robotics, and information technology to streamline and optimize all stages of the manufacturing process to meet international certification standards.

The benefits of the Smart Factory are immediate. Our facility delivers cleaner, more efficient, more reliable auto parts manufacturing. This is especially important for the Tier 1 automotive industry, which demands attention to quality at every stage of production as well as strong ESG credentials to support the environmental and social goals of premier auto brands.

What technologies are used in the SH Auto Parts Smart Factory?

The SH Auto Parts Smart Factory integrates the latest automated and robotic auto parts manufacturing technologies to SAE / JIS Tier 1 standards with centralized control systems. This includes supply chain, inventory, and order management alongside exceptional quality control and environmental systems.

• Intelligent parts and component storage and inventory management
• Order progress, tracking and laser etching of individual parts
• Automated ball joint assembly
• 10-axis CNC welding
• Parallel robotic CNC machining lines
• Robotic forming & stamping
• Centralized machine status & performance monitoring

Intelligent optimization of all stages of production and production management make our auto component manufacturing process extremely efficient and flexible, allowing for multiple different orders to be seamlessly integrated into parallel production without lengthy set up delays or compromising on quality.

Environmental protection for superior auto part manufacturing

The environmental protection built into our Smart Factory includes clean air extraction systems to remove oily residues and metal particles from machining processes. This has two functions, to protect staff from potential harm, and to keep the manufacturing process as clean as possible to maintain the highest quality standards and reduce the likelihood of stoppages due to mechanical failures.

• Clean air filtering systems
• Gray water recycling
• Rooftop solar power plant
• Award winning design

Our substantial rooftop solar power system generates 3.5MW of electrical power to run plant machinery, and contributes significantly to reducing carbon emissions. The SH Auto Parts Smart Factory also has a gray water recycling system that efficiently manages all gray water processing and reuse in the factory. Contact us to discover how our Smart Factory offers an ESG compliant, innovative, and efficient option fore manufacturing your Tier 1 automotive components.

What is the International Automotive Task Force (IATF)?

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) is an industry member driven organization dedicated to the optimization of component and part manufacturing for Tier 1 automotive manufacturers. The IATF acts as a valuable quality control and training coordination hub that ensures the needs of manufacturers, suppliers and consumers are met.

Who are the automotive manufacturer members of the IATF?

• BMW Group
• Ford Motor Company
• Geely Holding Group
• General Motors
• IVECO Group
• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Limited
• Mercedes-Benz Group AG
• Renault Group
• Stellantis
• Volkswagen AG
• Volvo Group

National automotive industry associations are also participant members in the IATF, which helps ensure that current and prospective local, regional, and global automotive regulatory and quality requirements are incorporated in the IATF standard.

Which 5 national automotive industry associations contribute to the IATF?

• Automotive Industry Action Groupo (AIAG) (U.S.)
• Associazione Nazionale Filiera Industria Automobilistica (ANFIA) (Italy)
• Fédération des Industries des Equipements pour Véhicules (FIEV) (France)
• Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) (U.K.)
• Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) (Germany).

We can see that the combination of participating automotive brands and industry associations in the IATF is comprehensive and representative of the global automotive manufacturing community. This makes the IATF the most relevant body for driving industry approved manufacturing processes and standards.

Why is there an IATF standard as well as ISO standards for auto parts manufacturing?

Publishing of the global Tier 1 automotive quality standard for OEM suspension components and other auto parts was transferred from ISO to the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) in 2016. The standard IATF 16949:2016 remains an ongoing partnership between ISO and the IATF due to the fact that IATF16949 builds on the ISO 9001 quality management standards.

The IATF was seen as a more logical organization to maintain oversight of the top-level international standard specifically for automotive manufacturing because of the complex, specialist in-depth knowledge and industry experience required to ensure the standard would be appropriate for the real-world needs of industry partners.

What are the international quality standards for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers ?

The IATF 16949 standard is only one of the international standards that SH Auto Parts maintains as a part of our many commitments to environmental and quality management for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing. It is perhaps the most important standard for global automotive production, as it represents a top-level partnership between the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Automotive Task Force (IATF).

Certified international quality standards held by SH Auto Parts for Tier 1 auto parts manufacturing

• IATF 16949:2016 Application of ISO 9001 for Automotive Production
• ISO 14001:2023 Environmental Management Systems
• ISO 14001:2017 Environmental Management Systems
• ISO 9001: 2022 Quality Management
• ISO 9001: 2018 Quality Management

ISO recognized the need for direct industry engagement to keep the standard up to date and relevant to the rapidly changing technologies and requirements that are specific to the automotive industry. The IATF acknowledges the important foundations of ISO quality and environmental management protocols upon which IATF 16949 was built.

This is why Tier 1 auto parts manufacturers need to be certified to ISO standards as well as the IATF standard to demonstrate competency and compliance.

SH Auto Parts: Tier 1 Auto Components to IATF standards

The IATF 16949 certification supports robust, continuously evolving, partnerships between component manufacturers and automotive brands to ensure seamless maintenance of international standards to meet country and regional requirements.

This guarantees that auto components manufactured to the IATF standard will meet the complex demands of automotive design implementation that complies with safety and performance regulations.

SH Auto Parts maintains quality and manufacturing processes that meet or exceed ISO and IATF standards to provide our Tier 1 automotive component customers with the peace of mind that comes with certified excellence at all levels. Contact us to find out more about our comprehensive, rapid and cost effective IATF and ISO qualified auto component manufacturing.

As a leading manufacturer of high-quality suspension components, control arms, and chassis parts, SH Auto Parts will be showcasing its latest innovations and technological advancements at this premier event.

Our team of experts will be available to discuss our commitment to Tier 1 automotive standards and our extensive experience in supplying major OEMs worldwide.

About AAPEX

AAPEX is one of the most important events in the global automotive aftermarket industry, bringing together over 2,500 exhibitors and 46,000 professionals from around the world.

SH Auto Parts is proud to be part of this dynamic platform and looks forward to connecting with industry leaders and exploring new opportunities to serve our global partners.

For more information about AAPEX 2024

Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo

• Exhibition Date: November 5-7, 2024
• Exhibition Venue: The Venetian Expo, Level 2, Las Vegas
• Booth No: A2667

We have a dedicated automated ball joint assembly line at our Smart Factory in Taiwan that has been custom built to include advanced features including sophisticated go, no-go screening of auto parts during the assembly process using sensors and digital scanning technology to ensure fault-free throughput of completed ball joints before they are integrated into suspension control arms.

• Automated ball joint assembly
• Advanced sensor technology for quality control
• Rapid throughput for mass production